Citizen participation should strengthen our democracy and enable all citizens to build a fairer society.

The local level is essential for citizen participation, because it is the level closest to citizens and participatory projects can therefore most easily emerge here.

Therefore:

• We wish to maintain and strengthen the neighborhood councils, and to transform them into a permanent consultative body. As such the municipality is able to be as close as possible to the concerns of each neighborhood in Etterbeek;
• We propose to make municipal council meetings accessible online;
• We will set up citizens' panels to discuss concrete actions in areas such as energy/climate, environment, housing, sports, mobility, etc;
• Make the "citizens' initiative right" more effective and accessible, by simplifying it;
• Ensure that public meetings are led and managed by external moderators to allow free expression among citizens;
• …

Because it is a real engine of cohesion, exchange and personal development, we want to promote access to culture for all and value the current and future talents of our commune. Important: behind the word culture lies a wide range of disciplines! We are committed to offering a real diversity of actions and activities, so that they allow everyone access to culture.

To make culture accessible to as many people as possible, we propose to

- Organize more free events in the public space, in various fields, in order to create festive moments of discovery and cohesion in different neighborhoods of the commune;

- Facilitate access to the arts from a young age by collaborating with schools, youth centers, associations, etc.;

- Build cultural bridges between artists, cultural institutions of the municipality, day care centers and schools, through the organization of cultural outings, but also moments of reflection-debates, courses and workshops of research and creation, where children become actors and learn by doing;

- Offer culture vouchers and communal subsidies to help specific groups gain access to culture: the elderly, CPAS beneficiaries, people with disabilities, etc.

- Pursue and strengthen the policies of tiered pricing and "free access" formulas, allowing the most disadvantaged to have access to shows at very low prices and those who have the means to contribute more;

- Value the artists of Etterbeek and helping them in their work by providing them with facilities (to create, to exhibit...) or a public space, by creating a network of artists and promoting partnerships between them and local businesses...

- Facilitate co-creation projects, in partnership with local public or private actors (nurseries and schools, nursing homes, CPAS, HORECA...).

- Relay and communicate on the different works and local artistic news, at different levels and in particular via a dedicated and expanded section in the Etterbeekoise life;

- .....

No two people are the same. Diversity enriches society: sexual orientation, skin color, religion, beliefs, age, political affiliation, gender, disability. Everyone has their own features that make them unique. Diversity in all its aspects gives color to our society. Ecolo-Groen supports Etterbeek residents in all their diversity and actively fights against all forms of discrimination. 

The fight against violence against women is one of our priorities. In 2022, Belgium recorded 22 femicides, the same number as the previous year. This is only the visible part of the phenomenon, because very often violence is not reported. The municipality must take action at the local level to raise awareness and combat this violence.

First and foremost, we are committed to prevention. Together with the police from Etterbeek, the municipality must develop an action plan that brings together various projects related to the elimination of violence against women, homophobic violence and racially inspired violence. It is also very important to design public spaces from a gender perspective, in order to create places where everyone feels safe.

In addition, Ecolo-Groen is also committed to raising awareness among citizens. Through education, we want to break down stereotypical gender patterns and heteronormativity and eradicate discrimination, racism and xenophobia. Giving children and young people the adequate knowledge about this is crucial. We also want to continue actions in public spaces that denounce violence against women such as the Red Shoes campaign or the discovery walk to recognize the feeling of insecurity that women experience in public spaces.

Finally, Etterbeek as a municipality must set an example. By developing and following up on its own diversity plan. By using neutral recruitment procedures. By training its staff on diversity. And by having a gender budget approach that analyzes whether the municipal budget is used equally for the needs of men and women.

To give future generations a livable city, a transition to a more sustainable society is necessary. Protecting biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reverting the contamination of water, soil and air are absolute priorities. Ecolo-Groen wants the municipality of Etterbeek to continue to take its responsibility, and step up the pace of ecological transition. A change that will provide a more livable and healthier city for everyone, as well as be the best investment in the future.

Climate

Global warming must remain below 2 degrees. Etterbeek committed through the Covenant of the Mayors to be climate neutral by 2050. To achieve this, we must make a giant leap in terms of sustainability in just about all sectors. A climate plan must guide all of this. The main priorities in this plan are to renovate and insulate buildings, invest in renewable energy, support the local and circular economy, stimulate sustainable mobility and reduce our waste. 

The climate is already changing, so it is crucial that our municipality also adapts to the effects of a warmer climate. To limit the effects of extreme heat and drought, as well as a higher risk of flooding, Ecolo-Groen wants to take many actions in Etterbeek. For example, greening streets, because trees and plants are the best air conditioning for a city. Where possible, removing concrete areas, so that water can enter the soil during heavy rainfall. By restoring natural ecosystems, we can increase biodiversity in the municipality. 

The climate struggle is above all a social struggle, fighting for the climate means above all fighting for a livable and healthy city for everyone. Ecolo-Groen Etterbeek wants to support citizens, organizations and companies as much as possible in the necessary adaptations. In addition to energy premiums, through premiums for fighting climate change, such as premiums for green roofs, soil permeability and rainwater reservoirs. Ecolo-Groen also wants to actively involve citizens and organizations through various forms of direct participation, it is important to join all our forces! Investing in a sustainable city today is the best investment we can make for the future.

Energy

The cleanest and cheapest energy is the one we do not consume. That's why we put the first priority on insulating and renovating buildings. We support the families of Etterbeek who want to reduce the energy consumption of their homes by giving out municipal energy bonuses, and we make sure that residents can have an energy audit done free of charge to find out the energy consumption of their homes. 

As a municipality, Etterbeek must set an example by renovating all municipal buildings. Social housing is therefore a priority. In this way, we will lower the bill for those who need it most. 

To move towards more sustainable energy sources, Etterbeek should opt entirely for renewable technologies: solar panels, solar boilers, heat pumps, heat networks, biogas from waste treatment, etc.

Citizens and businesses must become the foundations of our local energy production. We want to make sharing renewable energy easier through energy communities. Not everyone has a roof where they can put solar panels. A renewable energy community can help. For example, local residents living in an apartment can cheaply use the surplus energy produced on the roof of the school down their street.

To reduce energy prices, Ecolo-Groen is also in favor of organizing group purchases by the municipality, both for existing energy needs and for installing solar panels or performing insulation.

Healthy and sustainable food

We want to expand urban agriculture by continuing to work on the participatory gardens in the Nieuwelaan, the Park Hap and the Beckersstraat and we will look for additional sites where citizens in the municipality can grow vegetables together. 

We will continue to make Etterbeek residents aware of sustainable food that is organic, local and seasonal through various actions: Kit duurzaam dafelen onder buren, Duurzaam Wijkcontract, Kom à la Maison, and the ambassadors of sustainable food. And we will further fight against food waste, by supporting concrete initiatives such as Freego, where unsold food is distributed.

For the schools and nurseries, we will guarantee healthy and sustainable food by meeting the criteria to be awarded a "Good Food" label (organic, zero waste, local). For the Municipal grocery store of the CPAS, we will ensure even more locally grown products by expanding the vegetable garden project "Organic vegetables from Etterbeek."

Environment

Air quality is still substandard in several places in Etterbeek (The Results - CurieuzenAir). Breathing clean air is not a luxury. Ecolo-Groen wants to ensure healthy air throughout the municipality, especially around schools and nurseries. We will strive to maintain the health standard set by the WHO. We will do this by making a full commitment to soft mobility, making the heating of buildings more sustainable, and greening our municipality.

In order to reduce the ecological footprint of the municipality and to keep public spaces orderly, we are committed to a Zero Waste strategy. It is high time to leave the disposable economy behind and opt for a local, circular and sustainable economy. Ecolo-Groen wants to support sustainable initiatives by local entrepreneurs in Etterbeek. Reuse and repair will become the norm, discarding the exception. 

To reduce the existing mountain of waste, we have launched a host of initiatives such as a virtual give-away store, a network of Give-boxes, and reusable material for events and we have proposed to support sustainable purchases by means of a premium, for example for reusable diapers, for reusable hygienic material or for composting receptacles. Ecolo-groen also wants the various municipal schools and nurseries to move toward a zero waste policy.

Biodiversity



Investing in nature in the neighborhood is very important to protect our biodiversity. Greening streets, focusing on urban agriculture and planting small urban forests, for example at the Jachthof site, should boost nature in Etterbeek. We also want a greener environment for our children, by completely greening the playgrounds of the municipal schools.

We stand by our entrepreneurs 

We believe that an ambitious employment policy starts by encouraging the will to create and develop new projects.

• We propose that schools commit to visiting artisanal workshops; 
• We want property tax to be refunded during the first three years of a new business in order to financially support new initiatives.
• We propose transforming the municipal newspaper into a "magazine of the local economy".

Supporting the business community 

• We will strengthen the municipality's economic and commercial development department to enable it to meet the current economic challenges (e.g. supporting local trade, diversifying supply, etc;).
• We will encourage the creation of employer groups (e.g. through the local development companies), which allow the pooling and sharing of tools and skills and provide economic benefits (reducing fixed costs, pooling resources) and efficiency gains (mobility, accessibility, innovation, networking) as well.
• We would like to propose to all companies a partnership that starts with a shared determination in terms of urban development around its establishment: the need for a delivery zone, the visibility of the premises, a minimum number of parking spaces for wholesale shops, etc.

Promoting the alternative economy

• We will implement local financial policies (tax support, lower rents, flat waste tax ....) that promote the emergence of new and sustainable forms of local economy.
• We will support the parking of commercial vehicles in off-street parking spaces.
• We will support businesses in their ecological transition by helping finance bike racks in car parks, the purchase of bike boxes and the loan of cargo bikes for deliveries.

In the coming years, when designing the public space, we will strive to achieve a better balance between the different road users in order to encourage active mobility. Therefore we will respect the hierarchy of the PCPP principle (Pedestrians - Cyclists - Public transport - Personal cars).

This requires a range of different initiatives, such as:

• Securing pedestrian crossings;
• The construction of safe biking lanes, especially on roads where there is a lot of car traffic;
• Widening pavements that are too narrow and rebuilding pavements that are in poor condition;
• Expanding the number of school streets and making them permanent by installing specific street furniture (removable barriers, etc.);
• The installation of secure bike racks and boxes, both on and off the road, to meet the numerous requests from Etterbeek citizens who asked for a bike box through the regional Cyclo platform;
• We will continue to construct drop zones for electric scooters to prevent their illegal parking and thus keep the pavements free;
• We continue to push for the installation of charging points for electric cars in collaboration with the Brussels Region;
• We go through with the implementation of the GoodMove plan (City 30, development of public transport, measures to reduce  the traffic in neighborhoods, etc;).
• Organizing activities at the Mahma (House of Active Mobility) to promote active mobility;
• Promoting initiatives to encourage the use of shared cars and other forms of shared mobility;
• We want to raise awareness about various mobility topics (road safety, pilot projects for cargo bikes and electric bikes, bike certificates, etc;) through campaigns and training for residents and in schools.
• We will continue with the "active mobility committee", where citizens are invited to share their views on municipal mobility policy;.
• ...

Moreover, in all road development projects planned in the coming years (Forte dei Marmi square, Gray street, Pandhof avenue, Eskadron street, Tervuren avenue, Kazernelaan, etc.), we will ensure a better balance of public space between the different road users, in order to encourage active modes of transport and guarantee safety and quality of life for all.

Public lighting

The oldest luminaires will be renovated as opportunities arise. The new luminaires, in white light and LED, will be economical and energy-efficient. These renovations will be carried out in consultation with Sibelga as part of its public service missions.

Low Emission Zone

Since the LEZ was put into place, the oldest and most pollution vehicles are being replaced by vehicles that meet the latest emission standards, with a preference for hybrid and electric vehicles.

The municipal buildings are aging and require many upgrades in terms of waterproofing, insulation, electrical compliance, etc. One of the major objectives, in addition to meeting the expectations of the public who use municipal buildings, is to contribute to the improvement of their energy performance, taking into account the climate emergency. Providing a response to the demographic growth observed in the Brussels Region is also an important challenge. 

To meet these needs, here are some examples of actions we would like to implement:

- To improve the energy performance of as many municipal buildings as possible and to ensure that they comply with fire regulations;

- To build new housing (including social housing) on the site of the old municipal house and on the site of the Jardins de la Chasse;

Public space is the bearer of various fundamental issues. It is essential to transform it profoundly to make it as resilient as possible in the face of the major climate changes that await us. The greening and removal of asphalt and concrete of our streets are two important means in our eyes to achieve this. Indeed, removing asphalt and concrete and planting trees in large numbers will allow us to effectively fight against extreme weather phenomena that are likely to occur in the coming decades, whether it be floods or heat waves. Moreover, greening public spaces also has the effect of bringing biodiversity back to our streets. In this respect, it is important to create coherent green networks for the most positive effect possible.

Beyond greening, we defend the idea that a city that breathes is also a city that allows everyone to invest in the public space. This requires a rebalancing between the space given to cars and other users and in particular the proliferation of meeting places that allow all residents of Etterbeek to fully enjoy their neighborhood in complete safety.

Finally, for us, a user-friendly public space for all also means to really think about inclusiveness. Being inclusive means first and foremost ensuring that the public space is accessible to people with reduced mobility. It also means putting in place a maximum of public infrastructures (water fountains, public toilets,...) available to all. Finally, it implies the deconstruction of gendered aspects and colonial signs, which are all too present in the public space of the city. 

A municipality where it is enjoyable to live is a municipality that shows solidarity, by developing collective services and common goods to support everyone, and in particular the most disadvantaged individuals. As more and more people in Etterbeek are confronted with socio-economic difficulties and do not have sufficient resources to live a decent life, the quality, accessibility and diversity of available services must be strengthened. This also requires sufficient and sustainable means, and therefore appeals to solidarity by calling on the broadest shoulders.

Our fight to reduce inequality is based on the following principles:

A better awareness of the needs and adapted services

The quality of services from the municipality, the CPAS and the voluntary sector must be based on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood social diagnosis in order to be able to direct the offer according to the real needs of the population where they live. In a similar way, citizens must benefit from accessible, high-quality and comprehensible information on the services and aids to which they can have access.

Enough quality collective services (crèches, retirement homes, public and social housing, digital spaces, sports and cultural infrastructures, homework schools, etc.) must be made available to citizens. It is also necessary to provide specialized support for different groups of people, such as single-parent families, young people or senior citizens, people with disabilities, the homeless, or those suffering from addiction, etc.

Simplification of procedures and automatic granting of aid

This involves simplifying the steps to be taken by the residents of Etterbeek by reducing administrative obstacles, improving cooperation between services and prioritizing quality support in direct contact with the actors involved in social work.

When individual situations are known to the local services, the automatic granting of support is the best way to reduce the risk of loss of income and the sometimes serious consequences (such as over-indebtedness) that can follow. Mobility of staff will also be crucial to ensure proactive support to beneficiaries.

Housing as a priority

Access to decent housing is central to ensuring a dignified life and access to other social rights. This means stepping up the fight against vacant housing, developing communal housing for social purposes, preventing the risk of eviction, etc. For homeless people, the "housing first" approach must be at the heart of local action: it is a matter of ensuring a roof over one's head first, in order to better support the beneficiary in his or her other steps afterwards.

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Support for socio-professional integration

The local level has an important role to play in providing access to language skills, training and employment. By focusing on the "zero long-term unemployed" approach, we want the socio-professional integration pathway to enable each person to regain social participation, financial autonomy and self-esteem in a sustainable way, in line with one's talents and aspirations.

It is important that seniors stay active and healthy. A satisfying social life and their personal independence are crucial for this. Both depend on the quality of our public facilities, such as walkable footpaths, adapted public transport, squares and parks equipped with street furniture to facilitate encounters, as well as opportunities to be involved in the daily life of our neighborhoods. 

Senior citizens have a treasure of experience, and it would be a shame not to value it in our community. We should invite seniors to share this experience where they can: tutoring students, organizing lectures in schools in collaboration with our neighborhood libraries, and managing the various non-profit organizations in Etterbeek. Their contribution to intergenerational bonds is crucial and we want to continue supporting them.

In addition, it is also important to us to:

• Create housing that allows the elderly to live their daily lives for as long as possible, in autonomy;
• Strengthen the supply of activities (sports, IT, culture, etc.) for the elderly;
• Encourage the creation of a buddy system of intergenerational support. 

Through the urban planning fees, we will encourage developers who build new housing to put 10% of it under public management through the Social Real Estate Agency for a minimum of 9 years. We will also ensure that new construction projects, whatever they may be, do not impact the quality of life of local residents but, on the contrary, improve it.

We propose to phase out all advertising in public spaces.

Young people suffered the most from isolation from their peers during the pandemic lockdowns. Studies show that the mental well-being of young people has suffered greatly from this, and the anxiety arising from current social challenges (climate crisis, energy crisis, war in Ukraine,...) adds to this mental state. Good coordination between all local actors working with youth (schools, youth centers, youth movements, social cohesion associations, CPAS/OCMW, etc.) is very important in order to get young people the help, care, or advice as quickly and appropriately as possible.

We propose several initiatives to improve the well-being of the young people in Etterbeek. Some examples: 

• Integrating facilities in public spaces where young people can come together outside the school environment (skate parks, outdoor sports facilities, music kiosks, etc.). The Rinsdelle Square is a great example of this;
• Strengthen the programme of activities of the youth houses (“La Clef” and “Face B” ) and broaden its popularity with a wider audience; 
• Develop a municipal training program for young people;
• Create a Youth Council, in which young people can give recommendations to the municipality about their expectations for Etterbeek; 
• In collaboration with the youth houses, the Senghor Cultural Centre and the various schools in Etterbeek, we organize "open mic" evenings, giving young people a stage to show their talents;
• We promote the culture of debate and citizenship by offering schools in Etterbeek the opportunity to take part in debate competitions.